Portable Generator Solutions

To answer your question, yes.

There are times down here in Virginia, and Atlanta, GA around Labor Day weekend when running the AC 24/7 is almost required, especially so in Atlanta. Being in Ontario, you probably don't know what it's like to be in 95 degree heat and humidity in the 60's plus.

I like many other southerners follow college football. In early September, it can still be very hot and very humid. That's why I carry 2 Honda EU2000i generators and the extended run tank, and several 2.5 gallon cans of gas.

If I only camped where it was cool, I'd only need one 2k Honda or Honda equivalent to just keep the batteries topped off.

SoundGuy wrote:

MisterCipher wrote:
I have a 19' Rockwood Eco Pro. I'd like to get a generator for camping off the grid. I want to run the A/C so solar is out as a solution. I'm looking at portable generators as a solution ...

Just as an aside from the debate over good generator / bad generator do you really want to be running any genset constantly 12, 14, 16 hours a day or more just for the purpose of having a comfortable interior? Are you willing to haul along sufficient fuel to do this and if so are you willing to refuel the small tank constantly? If not, then a larger extended run tank is preferable but in that case you'd want a genset with a fuel pump, not one that relies solely on gravity feed. Alternately you could buy a propane fueled genset but are you prepared for the degradation in performance? Is a smaller inverter genset that has to run well above it's quietest ECO speed when powering your A/C acceptable or are you willing to spend much more for a much larger genset that can run at a lower speed even under significant load? Aside from brand that pundits would argue over ad nauseam these are just some of the more important questions you want to be asking yourself if you want to buy the right genset for your needs. ;)

And here is another reason. Back when I bought my first 2k Honda, there were only 2 choices. You either got blue (Yamaha) or red (Honda). There were no Kipor's, Champion's, or Harbor Freight's.
Later when I needed a 2nd generator to run the AC in my TT, I got another Honda, since I already had one.

Today, if I were starting anew, I'd check out the Champion or Harbor Freight first, and would probably buy one of them.

IBcarguy wrote:
There are a lot of loyal Honda owners out there but I could never understand why people would buy TWO expensive smaller units, then hook them together to run their RV AC unit. I don't get it. My 3100si is quiet, reliable, and modestly priced and it runs everything with no problems.

Because I can't take a 3100si out of the back of the trailer. Pretty simple really.

I know some folks leave that large generator in the back of the pickup, use it there to power the RV. This is fine, if you don't need to keep the TT cool when you are away with the truck.

However, when our pup was still with us, sometimes we needed the AC to keep the dog healthy, so the generator had to be left behind.

IBcarguy wrote:
There are a lot of loyal Honda owners out there but I could never understand why people would buy TWO expensive smaller units, then hook them together to run their RV AC unit. I don't get it. My 3100si is quiet, reliable, and modestly priced and it runs everything with no problems.

I see that, it is based on the same engine design as the Honda 2000.
But it also is rated for 2500 watts, whether this is due to Honda maybe detuning the system to increase longeviety is a possibility. But just as honda has moved to get past the 1600 continious threshold Westinghouse did the same, and for the same reasons. Will it shorten its life? Possibly, although none of the RV uses of these genny's normally task them to run for long periods at the full ability of the unit. If there is something in the method that westinghouse uses that allows a slight improvement in ability for either surge or running watts, I'd personally love to hear about it. I think its odd that everyone in here goes on about generator life and engines and brands of the engines. I do know there are folks in here with older Champs, and an earlier poster on this thread said his Nipor was 9 years old.
These other brands are reaching a point that they have been around long enough to start seeing that others can build decent functioning units. And the benefits are there for all. Established brands are increasing capabilities and maintaining or lowering prices to stay in the competition. These 2200 Hondas at under $1000 shows that.

But nobody ever brings up the generator side of the unit, why? Where are they made? Many Honda's and others buy components from India and China as well as other nations, are those components all up to similar standards? Are they basically the same in all brands?
Many Fords are now built in Mexico, using parts that are over 60% from non US sources. I know Honda builds small engines in India, Yamaha has contracted a Chinese company to build scooter engines for them. Brand loyalties are beginning to break down as all companies go for the cheapest suppliers.

Fact is, few people actually run their air with a generator, except maybe the Class As. If it's that hot peeps end up in the RV park.

IBcarguy wrote:
.. I could never understand why people would buy TWO expensive smaller units... I don't get it.

You've been here 8 years, so I'm thinking you won't ever get it.

I love these Generator threads, they always end up exactly the same, a measuring match...As already said, just like the Ford, GM, Ram threads..

I would be curious to know how many Honda/Yamaha gen owners have actually owned a Champion or other offshore brand generators. The Red and Blue are definitely great generators and no one can dispute that, but like it or not they have some worthy cheaper alternative competition these days. I have run my Champion 3100 up against similar Yamaha and Honda generators and the differences between them were minimal, I would actually say from experience that the Champion was marginally quieter than the Yamaha, but not as quiet as the Honda.. Power wise under comparable conditions with average loads on a 30A powered single A/C trailer, they all performed well.... Choose any of them and you won't be disapointed.
I don't have experience with other brands in the 3000w range, so I won't discount them.

As far as the 2000w inverters go, there is a huge pile of offshore inverters out there, and they are definitely not equal to each other..... I own a Generac IX2000 inverter and I can honestly say it is a disappointment.. It works, but doesn't even come close to living up to it's 2200w peak power rating. As a direct comparison to the Champion 2000w inverter, the Champion out performs it in every way. The Generac IX2000 inverter is way louder than the Champion 2000 inverter (and also quite a bit louder than my Champion 3100w inverter). I would say the Champion 2000w inverter is only slightly louder than the Honda EU2000i which is probably one of the quietest 2000w inverters out there.
My brother in law owns a BE 2000 watt inverter (not sure who actually builds it). I would compare the BE to my Generac, really not that impressive, not that quiet, and not that reliable.. He has had more issues with his than I would like to mention.

Overall, I would say that Honda has the 2000w market cornered as far as power and noise levels, but from the cheaper alternative side, Champion is a close second IMO.

Anyway, these are the generators I have personal experience with...

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
If size and cost are your concerns look at the Westinghouse i-gen 2500.

uses a honda clone engine, the same size as the new 2200 watt honda.

Nice try, but not even close - the Westinghouse eGen2500 has a 98 cc engine, the new Honda EU2200i has a 121 cc engine. Now which do you think will most easily sustain heavy surge loads without falling on it's face? :W

SoundGuy wrote:

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
For the Honda aficionados, nobody is bad mouthing your red machine ...

And even though your Red piece of heaven may last for a decade or more ...

Oh, I'd say you're attempting to, feeble as the attempt it may be. :R

And FWIW, although some of these alternates may have a Honda clone engine that doesn't mean the internal parts are manufactured to the same standards. Regardless that some may not agree the adage that you get what you pay for generally holds true, even with generators. ;)

They aren't made to the same standards. But just as a person may want to visit a prime steakhouse on a regular basis, it doesnt mean they dont also want the occasional Big Mac.
Quality isnt a bad thing, but if your really hungry, the Big Mac can fill the bill just as well as the more pricey cut.

And if you really want to get into it as a cost analysis, I can agree it could be interesting as an annualized expense, but with both products having longer term life expectancies, (5+ years) It would be tough to make a realistic comparasion, but with the 3000 watt Honda selling for right around $2000 and the clone brands selling for about one third that number its going to be a tough nut to crack that the Honda can match the deal on value, even if I replace another brand after 5 years, I can do that twice, and had the use of my money during the interim years instead of it being tied up in an asset.

For the person who wants the feeling of "I have the best" or I trust my ,,,,, fine, have at it. But that feeling isnt a necessity, its a chosen luxury, like the Mercedes over the Toyota.

MisterCipher wrote:
I have a 19' Rockwood Eco Pro. I'd like to get a generator for camping off the grid. I want to run the A/C so solar is out as a solution. I'm looking at portable generators as a solution ...

Just as an aside from the debate over good generator / bad generator do you really want to be running any genset constantly 12, 14, 16 hours a day or more just for the purpose of having a comfortable interior? Are you willing to haul along sufficient fuel to do this and if so are you willing to refuel the small tank constantly? If not, then a larger extended run tank is preferable but in that case you'd want a genset with a fuel pump, not one that relies solely on gravity feed. Alternately you could buy a propane fueled genset but are you prepared for the degradation in performance? Is a smaller inverter genset that has to run well above it's quietest ECO speed when powering your A/C acceptable or are you willing to spend much more for a much larger genset that can run at a lower speed even under significant load? Aside from brand that pundits would argue over ad nauseam these are just some of the more important questions you want to be asking yourself if you want to buy the right genset for your needs. ;)

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
For the Honda aficionados, nobody is bad mouthing your red machine ...

And even though your Red piece of heaven may last for a decade or more ...

Oh, I'd say you're attempting to, feeble as the attempt it may be. :R

And FWIW, although some of these alternates may have a Honda clone engine that doesn't mean the internal parts are manufactured to the same standards. Regardless that some may not agree the adage that you get what you pay for generally holds true, even with generators. ;)